Linda Ford

Liberty — Linda Clark Ford, 67, of 12 Iselin Street, died peacefully Monday, December 17, 2012 at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Greenville, she was the wife of Samuel Martin Ford, Jr., of the home and a daughter of the late Rev. C.O and Agnes Bishop Clark. She was a retired LPN and a member of The Warehouse Church.

Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Marty Ford(Donna) of West Union and Clark Ford(Dede) of Liberty; a sister, Beth Banks of Easley; three brothers, Charles O. Clark, Jr. of Pendleton, Benjamin Clark of Tennessee, and Mike Clark of Greer; seven grandchildren, Cody Jackson, Emily Ford, Morgan Ford, Morgan Jackson, Parker Ford, Erin Ford and Claire Ford.

In addition to her parents she was predeceased by a brother, Reuben Clark.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ford were held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial was at Greenville Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to The Warehouse Church: PO Box 916 Easley, SC 29641. Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Lillie Mae Smith

Liberty — Lillie Mae Whitaker Smith, 79, of 1280 Ruhamah Road, wife of the late J. Harold Smith, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Ben F. and Lula Smith Whitaker, Mrs. Smith retired from the Pickens Plant of Mayfair Mills and was a member of Pendleton Street Baptist Church.

Surviving are a brother, Ben F. Whitaker of Liberty and a sister, Rachel Perkins of Liberty.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Flat Rock Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Ruhamah Baptist Church, C/o Rev. Bobby Goodwin. 114 King Arthur Drive, Piedmont, SC 29673.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown which is assisting the family.

Joe H. Holder

PICKENS — Joe Hezekiah Holder, 94, of 207 Pendleton Street Ext., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 16, 2012.

Born Sept. 7, 1918 in Oconee County, he was the son of the late Abraham and Alice Hall Holder.

Mr. Holder was retired from The Singer Company and was a lifetime member of Pickens First Baptist Church. He was a good Christian man who loved his Jesus Christ. When he was able, he never missed a day reading his Bible through and through several times. God gave us the best.

Surviving is one daughter, Nanci K. Bradberry of Greer; four grandchildren, Lori Reid of Six Mile, Zan Churchwell of Athens, GA, Lonnie Nicholson of Greer and Joseph Zak Churchwell of Easley; nine great grandchildren, Joseph Kane Reid, Elijah Fear Churchwell, Caedman Cross Churchwell, Samuel Owen Churchwell, Gunnar Blaise Churchwell, Lili Mikayla Nicholson, Nash Baxter Nicholson, Joseph Mackenzie Churchwell and Linda Tate Churchwell; a special nephew, Monty Carlos Broome of Greenville. Monty was the son he never had and was loved dearly by Mr. Joe. Also surviving are a brother, Bill Holder of Six Mile and several other nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Linda Jo Churchwell and eight brothers and sisters.

A graveside service to celebrate the life of Daddy, Papa, Pop and Pop-Pop was held on Wednesday, Dec. 19 in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family met with friends at the graveside following the service.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com
The family will be at their respective homes.

Edward Griffin

Easley — Edward Griffin, 82, formerly of Brushy Creek Road, husband of the late Mary Ellen Dorsey Griffin, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital.

Born in Pickens County, a son of the late U.T. and Clovie Holder Griffin, Mr. Griffin attended Easley High School, and afterwards enlisted in the United States Army. After the Army, Edward went to work in textiles at the Old Woodside Mill as a weaver instructor.

He enjoyed going on car rides, traveling, singing, and snacking on bananas and cookies, and was a member of Pendleton Street Baptist Church.

Surviving are a son, Danny Griffin and his wife Tobie of Easley; three grandchildren; a special cousin, Margaret Clardy; a nephew, Jimmy Hall, and a niece, Ann Hall.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Irene Hall.
Graveside services were 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21 at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown which is assisting the family.

Ret. Air Force LTC, Ira A. Edens

WEST COLUMBIA — Ira A. Edens, 84, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Born Dec. 21, 1927 in Pickens he was a son of the late John E. Edens and Mary A. Cantrell Edens. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, where he served as a deacon.

Mr. Edens was a member of the Armed Forces Reserve Officers Association, he served with the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shaw Air Force Base; he was a Special Intelligence Officer for the Pentagon; received the Minuteman Award which recognizes exceptional achievement in a military organization; and received numerous awards and decorations over a long military career. Mr. Edens was an active member of the local Republican Party and was a recipient of the Strom Thurmond/Floyd Spence Award. He had a huge love of music and played both guitar and piano, he was especially fond of gospel music.

Surviving is his loving wife of 57 years, Jane Edens; sons, Dr. Byron E. Edens (Therease) and Nolan I. Edens (Camille); sister, Sleaty Edens; and five grandchildren, Danielle Edens, Philip Edens, Rachel Edens, Nora Edens and Mavis Edens.

Mr. Edens was preceded in death by his daughter, Rowena J. Edens; his son, Anthony R. Edens; his sister, Sady Edens; and brothers, Enos Edens, Ellis Edens and Wendell Edens.

Funeral service was held at 12 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, in the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, officiated by Dr. Byron E. Edens and the Rev. John O’Cain. Interment was in Fort Jackson National Cemetery with Full Military Rites at the convenience of the family.
Thompson Funeral Home, Lexington is assisting the Edens family.